With over a thousand schools, New York City offers no shortage of educational opportunities. Many of those opportunities exist within independent (AKA private) schools, a long-standing choice for families seeking unique academic experiences for their children.
And when it comes to the independent school system, there’s no other organization that understands it better than the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY). ISAAGNY is a consortium of over 140 independent schools in and around New York City, which range from standalone nursery schools to K-12 schools. It also fosters a network of community organizations and educational consultants called “Friends of ISAAGNY” that are dedicated to expanding access to independent schools and helping families find their best-fit schools and Admit NY is proud to be one of these “Friends!”
We recently had a chance to chat with ISAAGNY’s Executive Director, Natalie Alterman, about her unique role in the independent school community. Here’s what she had to say:
Can you tell us about yourself? How long have you been with ISAAGNY, and how did your career path bring you here?
I’ve dedicated my professional life to New York City’s education system. I started as a middle school special education teacher and went on to teach students at nearly every age group—from preschool through graduate school—before transitioning into school leadership. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the complexity and importance of supporting students, families, and educators at every stage of learning.
I joined ISAAGNY in 2021, and this is actually my first role outside of a school. That was a big part of what excited me about the position: the opportunity to get to know, learn from, and support more than 140 independent school programs at once. In this role, I rely on the expertise I developed as both a teacher and a school leader: systematization, strategic planning, empathetic leadership, and the translation of big-picture goals into day-to-day practices. These skills allow me to support our member schools in ways that are responsive, sustainable, and centered on the needs of both the ISAAGNY schools and the students who apply to join them.
Why do you believe so strongly in ISAAGNY’s mission?
I believe strongly in ISAAGNY’s mission because I believe in the collective power of education. When schools work together with shared values and practices, it creates greater equity for families and a healthier ecosystem for schools. ISAAGNY helps schools view one another as colleagues who think beyond individual institutions to consider what’s best for the broader community.
What’s one thing families get wrong about the independent school system, and one thing they should know?
One common misconception is that independent schools are only for a narrow, homogenous group of families. In reality, schools work intentionally to build diverse communities across socioeconomic, racial, cultural, and geographic lines. ISAAGNY is proud of the fact that work iscentral to the application process: admissions professionals put significant care and thought into creating school communities that reflect and enrich the world in which our children are growing up.
ISAAGNY partners with schools across religious affiliations, boroughs, special program offerings, and other distinct factors. What brings them all together as members of ISAAGNY?
Our schools differ in their identities and offerings, but they’re united by a shared commitment to the collective. Every ISAAGNY member school has chosen to opt into common rules and practices. They do so because they believe in the mission, value collaboration, and recognize that a coordinated system best serves all stakeholders: colleagues, families, and most importantly, students.
What does ISAAGNY do to make sure it’s getting the latest on admissions trends?
We’re proud to coordinate two annual pulse surveys for our member schools: one in the winter that captures application volume for both school admissions and financial aid, and a second in the spring that focuses on enrollment and yield. The winter data helps institutions understand early momentum in the admissions cycle, but of course, applications are only one part of the story. Ultimately, enrollment outcomes are the most critical indicator of institutional health, and those results won’t be clear until we collect and analyze the spring data.
What’s your advice for new applicant families interested in sending their child to an independent school?
Center your child and your family at every step of the process—from exploring schools to enrolling in one. Independent schools differ widely in their missions, cultures, and expectations, and there’s no universal definition of a “right” or “best” choice.
You’ll hear plenty of opinions along the way from friends, family members, acquaintances, and online communities. Those perspectives can be useful, but it’s important to treat outside advice as input, not direction. When families stay grounded in their child’s needs, their values, and what feels like the best fit for their household, they’re far more likely to make a confident decision and find a school where their child can truly thrive.
Do schools in the ISAAGNY network collaborate with each other? How so?
Yes! Collaboration is a defining strength of the ISAAGNY network. We’re a large consortium, so we’re very intentional about creating smaller, topic-driven focus groups that make collaboration meaningful and practical. These groups are shaped around shared interests and needs, such as school type, professional role, or specific ISAAGNY initiatives. They give our members space to exchange best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from one another in real time.
Beyond those groups, we support connection through a robust mentorship program for members who are new to ISAAGNY and/or their roles, a consortium-wide message board that enables schools to crowdsource ideas, and a parent workshop series that brings schools together to collaboratively design and deliver sessions.
As Executive Director of ISAAGNY, what’s your top priority for 2026?
My top priority for 2026 is to support admissions professionals and their teams as they continue to navigate a landscape that’s been shaped by several tumultuous years. ISAAGNY provides that support by streamlining application processes, offering meaningful learning and networking opportunities, and inviting member-driven “moonshot” ideas to promote greater efficiency and sustainability. We also remain focused on increasing the visibility of our member schools among prospective families through targeted marketing, free workshops, and accessible application tools.
To learn more about ISAAGNY, visit isaagny.org.
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